Town council has reversed a previous budget decision and has now approved contributing $125,000 towards the development of the first dedicated outdoor pickleball courts in Cochrane.

Extra chairs had to be brought into the council chambers, Jan. 8, to seat a large delegation from the Pickleball Posse pressing council to change its mind and contribute half the cost of developing six outdoor courts in east Cochrane.

That strong delegation and a thorough presentation by spokesperson Joanne Ferster convinced town council to put the funds back into the budget. Loud applause greeted the decision, with only Morgan Nagel standing opposed (although Patrick Wilson was absent and did not vote).

Councillor Nagel believed there is pressure on all sporting groups for more facilities and questions whether this was the top priority.

Ferster successfully pressed home major points on the growing popularity of the sport with all ages, the lack of any dedicated outdoor courts here, the potential economic spinoff from hosting events and how much other nearby communities are spending to develop courts with comparably little financial contribution from users.

It was urgent to get a turnabout on the previous decision in order for the Posse to proceed with a grant application now being considered by the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP). Had the town not provided a letter committing the funds, all that work would have been for not and it would be back to square one. The CFEP funding of $124,669 is essential to make the courts a reality. 

Council had previously eliminated the funding in their capital budget for the project. Either way, a decision doesn't directly impact property taxes because the funds were allotted from a reserve of funds accumulated for parks and recreation. That reserve currently sits at $847,000 but with funds earmarked for the dog park and pickleball courts, it will drop to $422,000. Just how much is accumulated in the reserve depends upon the level of development in the community. In 2017, it grew by $108,000, far exceeding the $49,000 received in 2016. 

The push for outdoor courts has been ongoing for three years and it took time to change no's into yes with the town's parks department.

The delegation was thrilled with the decision and Fester believes the size of the delegation helped.

"I feel incredibly awesome, blessed to have it passed through. Our chances were theoretical very slim to have them to reverse their decision."

The delegation could have even been larger if it wasn't for winter.

"We would have had three times that amount of people, but the hardcore players are all in the States."

Cochrane pickleball players now number over 200 and growing. They are part of what has been labelled the fastest growing sport in North America. While Canadian numbers lag far behind the States, there are now 60,000 of us playing the sport.

Pickleball enthusiasts Rod and Valerie Ball were part of the delegation and say it's a great sport for people of all ages.

"Pickleball kind of snuck up on everybody because it's just so much fun and it's something older people as well as younger people enjoy," says Rod Ball. "If you have ever seen anyone playing pickleball, they're always smiling."

"It's mental as well as physical," says Rod Ball and allows a range of people to participate. "It's a great game for anyone plus it's a game people who have replacement knees, replacement hips and poor shoulders can play and enjoy without hurting themselves."

The sport is widely played indoors at the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre but having outdoor courts is better for some players, like Valerie Ball.

"That's one reason why I like the outdoor play because I've had six knee surgeries. Outdoors is much much easier on the knees than the indoor courts."

Ferster points out it's a great sport for children, too, and many families play together. Plus, it's played as a para-sport.

"It's a really great sport, it's fun and the people are great."

The sport is also affordable. Rod Ball says he can play pickleball for a month for the cost of playing one round of golf.

In addition to the town funds and grant application, the Posse has raised $2,075 in personal donations and $1,500 in corporate donations for the project. They also have the support of the East Cochrane community association.

The town will disperse the $125,000 when the balance of the required funds is received.